Automating Web App Deployment with Docker Using Bash

In this blog, we’ll walk through a hands-on lab using a Bash script to automate Docker image creation, container deployment, volume/network setup, and push the image to Docker Hub. By the end, you’ll have a live NGINX-based web app running with a custom HTML page—all through automation.

Key points

• Automate Docker image creation using Bash
• Embed custom messages in web pages
• Build and push Docker images to Docker Hub
• Create Docker volumes and networks
• Run containers with mounted volumes
• Access your containerized app via a browser

Prerequisites

Before starting, make sure you have:

• Docker installed
• A Docker Hub account (with credentials handy)
• Basic Bash scripting knowledge
• Internet connection for image pulls and push

Lab Directory Structure

docker-web-app/

├── index.html

└── Dockerfile

• Log in to the Ubuntu server and check the Docker version.

• Log in to Docker Hub

• Create a file auto_docker_web.sh with the following eight steps content.

• Provide execute permission on the file.

• Run the script with custom content as follows.

• Now it’s time to access the web application.

You can access on

Steps included

Step 0: Configuration Block

• DOCKER_USERNAME: Your Docker Hub username.
• APP_NAME: Your application name.
• CUSTOM_MESSAGE: Message displayed on the webpage.
• PORT: The host port to expose.
• VOLUME_NAME: Docker volume for persistent data.
• NETWORK_NAME: Docker network to isolate the app.
• TAG: Docker image tag.

Step 1: Create Project Directory

Creates and enters the project folder.

Step 2: Generate index.html

This step dynamically creates an HTML file with a custom heading.

Step 3: Create a Dockerfile

Uses a lightweight NGINX image

Copies your custom HTML

Step 4: Build Docker Image

Builds a Docker image with the tag and pushes it to Docker Hub.

Step 5: Docker Hub Login

You’ll be prompted for your Docker Hub credentials.

Step 6: Push Image to Docker Hub

Uploads your image to Docker Hub for future reuse or team access.

Step 7: Create Docker Volume & Network

Volumes persist your logs or data.

Networks enable multi-container setups (like DB + Web App).

Step 8: Run the Container

Conclusion

You now know how to fully automate the deployment of a static web app using:

• Bash scripting
• Docker images and containers
• Docker volumes and networks
• Pushing to Docker Hub
• Serving over localhost

This type of automation is a powerful DevOps skill that lays the foundation for CI/CD, infrastructure as code, and container orchestration (like Kubernetes).

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